Tuesday, September 09, 2008 Mayor: Iloilo City needs more cops, patrols By Erwin Cabarles
MAYOR Jerry Treñas said Monday that Iloilo City needs more equipment for police forces as well as additional police personnel.
Treñas said he received information from the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) and other police stations in the city that they still lack sufficient equipment in monitoring criminal activities, communication equipment, and in conducting mobile patrols.
He said that based on their assessment, police personnel in the Jaro district needs at least two more patrol cars. These patrol cars will be used in patrolling the areas of barangays Quintin Salas, Sambag, Dungon A, Dungon B, and
San Isidro.
The areas, according to Treñas, need to be monitored thoroughly to intimidate bad elements from causing any trouble.
The mayor also said the Waterfront area in Iloilo City proper also needs one patrol car to be used by the cops in monitoring the area, which is known as the hub of illegal drug traders and drug users.
In Mandurriao district, Treñas said the cops still need one more patrol car. It should be known that the City Government just donated one patrol car to the Mandurriqao Police Station, adding up to its old patrol car used by the personnel in making rounds in the area. Treñas, however, said that the district needs one more.
Overall, the city still needs four additional patrol cars. Treñas said they are presently looking for sources of funds to purchase the said vehicles, adding that they will also look for funds to be used for the maintenance of the said cars.
According to the mayor, private sectors in 2001 used to donate funds for the maintenance of the city's patrol cars but this has gradually stopped.
He also said that the City Government chose to buy new patrol cars than to have the old, craggy ones repaired because it would be less expensive, adding that the expenses for the repair will be costly.
Meanwhile, additional handset units were distributed among the police personnel in the city to improve their communication, especially during hot pursuit operations or emergency calls.
With regards to police visibility, Treñas has recently signed a detail order where about 10 police personnel were pulled out from administrative work and placed in the field. According to the mayor, this will help in intensifying police visibility in the city.
He said police visibility is one of the keys in the non-occurrence of crimes or untoward incidents.
